Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War 1971
This gripping 1971 documentary by Masao Adachi takes viewers behind the scenes of revolutionary fervor, following a clandestine journey to Lebanon where Japanese Red Army fighters and PFLP militants prepare for what they see as a global struggle against imperialism.
Director: Masao Adachi
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War (1971) about?
This film documents a 1971 trip by directors Wakamatsu Koji and Adachi Masao to Lebanon, where they embedded with Japan's Red Army and the PFLP to document their military training and political ideology. It's less a call to arms than a stark portrayal of how resistance movements operate in the shadows of geopolitical power.
Who directed Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War?
The film was co-directed by Masao Adachi, a Japanese filmmaker whose work often blurred the lines between activism and cinema, and Wakamatsu Koji, known for his avant-garde and politically charged films.
Who stars in Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War?
The documentary features Rokihiro Toga, Aoi Nakajima, Susumu Iwabuchi, Masao Matsuda, and Fusako Shigenobu among others, capturing real-life figures from the Japanese Red Army and PFLP in their formative years.
Is Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War (1971) worth watching?
While unrated and niche, this 70-minute documentary offers a fascinating glimpse into Cold War-era militancy through an unconventional lens. Its raw, observational style makes it compelling for fans of political cinema, though its unflinching portrayal of revolution may not suit casual viewers.
How long is Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War?
The film runs for 70 minutes.
Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War (1971) — A radical documentary on Palestinian-Japanese solidarity
This gripping 1971 documentary by Masao Adachi takes viewers behind the scenes of revolutionary fervor, following a clandestine journey to Lebanon where Japanese Red Army fighters and PFLP militants prepare for what they see as a global struggle against imperialism.
Rather than glorify armed conflict, the film captures the mundane routine of military drills—rifles, chants, and ideological slogans—revealing how ordinary lives transform under the weight of history. Shot as a raw, vérité-style newsreel, it frames resistance not as spectacle but as an unavoidable response to systemic oppression, inviting audiences to question their own place in this 'declaration of world war.'